A 12-year-old boy died in an accident while riding his bike with his dad during the half-terms holiday near a Powys town, an inquest has heard.

Rufus Odin Borneo Pomeroy was found unconscious by a utility pole after riding down a steep hill near Hay-on-Wye on Tuesday, May 28.

The Bristol boy was rushed from the isolated location to Hereford County Hospital were he died from a head injury.

An inquest hearing held in Pontypridd on June 5 was told that Rufus and his dad had been riding off road on hilly terrain. Rufus' dad was riding behind the 12-year-old boy and stopped to close the gate behind them.

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Rufus continued to ride downhill before his dad could stop him. When the dad caught up, he saw Rufus had been thrown onto his back at a fence nearby and his bike had fallen down near a utility pole.

Senior Coroner Graeme Hughes said he was opening a formal investigation because he had “sufficient reason to suspect that Rufus’ death has been caused by a violent incident and a sustained consequence of that incident".

“In so far as the location of that inquest, that will be determined in due course once I’ve received the evidence in regard to the circumstances surrounding Rufus’ death," he said.

"That will be disclosed with all interested person and engaged with Rufus’ family and any other interested persons in relation to the of conclusion of the inquest.

“I am going to adjourn this hearing.

“I pass on my condolences to Rufus’ friends and family."


What happens at an inquest and what can the press report?

Reporting on inquests is one of the most difficult jobs faced by any journalist, but there are important reasons why local newspapers attend coroner’s court hearings and report on proceedings.

Here we will try and answer some of your questions about what will happen, what can be reported and why.


Rufus' headteacher at Redland Green School in Bristol said it had been a "very tough start" the new school term following the "awful news" of the pupil's death.

"Students have been incredible, showing sensitivity, compassion and empathy," Ben Houghton said.

"I would also like to thank staff who have played such an important role in supporting students and each other as we collectively come to terms with our loss.

"Thank you as well to those parents who have contacted us to extend their condolences - this is very kind of you and means an awful lot.

"Never before has the importance of community at RGS been so apparent and I am so proud of the way this has been evident during the week."